Golf bag with a rotatable inner assembly

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments relate to a golf bag, the golf bag including an outer assembly having an opening extending along the vertical axis from a first end of the outer assembly to a second end of the outer assembly, a base assembly having a center post connected to the first end of the outer assembly, an inner assembly including a center shaft which connects a top plate on the first end and a bottom plate on the second end, wherein the center shaft fits over the center post, and the outer assembly surrounds the inner assembly and the inner assembly rotates around the center post of the base assembly.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/521,945 filed on Jun. 19, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a golf bag and, more particularly but not exclusively, to a golf bag with a rotatable inner assembly.

BACKGROUND

Traditional golf bags are cylindrical in shape and have several deficiencies in design and operation which make it difficult for the golfer to carry, insert and remove their golf clubs. The majority of golf bags on the market will have an opening at the top of the cylindrical shaped golf bag where the golfer can insert and remove their golf clubs while playing.

This opening on the top may also include different sections, specifically different sections for different types of clubs (i.e., woods, irons, pitching wedges, etc.).

One of the major deficiencies of the current design and operation of traditional golf bags is the inserting and removing golf clubs from the golf bag. These golf bags are often placed on golf carts on elevated surfaces which make it difficult for a golfer to remove a golf club from the golf bag as the golfer must pull the golf club out of the top of the bag.

Another deficiency of the current design is that golf clubs are not locked into position in the traditional golf bags which leads to golf clubs moving around, despite having different sections in the golf bag.

Furthermore, due to the poor design of not locking the golf clubs into position, the golf clubs create distracting noise to the golfer and can even damage the golf clubs while they are being transported. Finally, using the current design often causes the handles of the golf clubs to be become caught on the material of the golf bag making it difficult for the golfer to insert or remove golf clubs.

The current design and operation of golf bags makes it difficult for a golfer to easily access the golf clubs while playing and further makes it difficult for the golfer to travel with the golf clubs when not playing.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A brief summary of various embodiments is presented below. Some simplifications and omissions may be made in the following summary, which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the various embodiments, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Detailed descriptions of a preferred embodiment adequate to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventive concepts will follow in later sections.

Various embodiments described herein relate to a golf bag, the golf bag including an outer assembly having an opening extending along the vertical axis from a first end of the outer assembly to a second end of the outer assembly, a base assembly having a center post connected to the first end of the outer assembly, an inner assembly including a center shaft which connects a top plate on the first end and a bottom assembly on the second end, wherein the center shaft fits over the center post, and the outer assembly surrounds the inner assembly and the inner assembly rotates around the center post of the base assembly.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the golf bag further including a spacer on a bottom plate of the bottom assembly of the inner assembly including a plurality of concave retaining spaces that extend along the vertical axis of the spacer.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the golf bag, further including an outer lip on the base assembly configured to receive the second end of the outer assembly.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the golf bag, further including a friction reducing ring positioned on a top surface of the base assembly to reduce rotational friction of the bottom plate of the inner assembly against the base assembly.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the golf bag, further including a friction reducing ring positioned on a bottom surface of the bottom plate of the inner assembly to reduce rotational friction of the bottom plate of the inner assembly against the base assembly.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the golf bag, further including a plurality of connection points around the base assembly to affix the outer assembly to the base assembly.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the golf bag, further including an opening on a top surface of the top plate, and a cap positioned in the opening on the top surface of the top plate of the inner assembly.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the center post on the base assembly extends upward along the vertical axis and is configured to be inserted into the bottom plate of the inner assembly.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer assembly is cylindrical shaped.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the top plate of the inner assembly is polygonal shaped.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a golf club is inserted and removed through the opening on the outer assembly.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening extending along the vertical axis from a first end of the outer assembly to a second end of the outer assembly is closed using a zipper, Velcro or other closing mechanism.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spacer is positioned between the bottom plate of the inner assembly and the top plate of the inner assembly.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a grip of a golf club is configured to rest in at least one of the plurality of concave retaining spaces.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the golf bag, further including a plurality of clips configured to be spaced around the top plate of the inner assembly configured to affix to a shaft of a golf club.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of clips on the top plate of the inner assembly correspond with the plurality of concave retaining spaces on the bottom plate of the inner assembly.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection points connect the outer assembly to the base assembly by rivets, bolts or Velcro.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, spacing between the plurality of clips is varied based on sizes of golf clubs.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, spacing between the plurality of concave retaining spaces is varied based on the spacing between the plurality of clubs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the golf bag of the current embodiment including an outer assembly, a base assembly and an inner assembly;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the inner assembly of the golf bag of the current embodiment holding golf clubs;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the golf bag of the current embodiment including an outer assembly and a base assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the base assembly including a ring around the center post;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the outer assembly of the golf bag of the current embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the inner assembly of the golf bag of the current embodiment including a top plate and a bottom assembly;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a top plate of the inner assembly of the golf bag of the current embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of bottom assembly of the inner assembly of the golf bag of the current embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the bottom plate of the inner assembly of the golf bag of the current embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the base assembly of the golf bag of an alternative embodiment without the ring around the center post, and

FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom view of the base assembly of the golf bag of an alternative embodiment with a ring.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used to designate elements having substantially the same or similar structure or substantially the same or similar function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description and drawings presented herein illustrate various principles. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody these principles and are included within the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, the term, “or” refers to a non-exclusive or (i.e., and/or), unless otherwise indicated (e.g., “or else” or “or in the alternative”). Additionally, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive and may be combined to produce additional embodiments that incorporate the principles described herein.

The traditional golf bag includes several deficiencies which are corrected by the current embodiment. The current embodiment is a golf bag with a rotatable inner assembly to which golf clubs are secured and which is inserted within an outer assembly, and the outer assembly having a slit/opening from the top of the cylindrical outer assembly to the bottom of the cylindrical outer assembly allowing the golfer to insert and remove golf clubs while playing golf. The golfer may rotate the inner assembly by manually exerting rotational force on any one of the clubs which are secured to the inner assembly by clips and held by concave retaining surfaces as the inner assembly is configured to rotate around the center post of the base assembly.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the golf bag 100 of the current embodiment including an outer assembly 101, a base assembly 102 and an inner assembly 103.

The outer assembly 101 may be cylindrical or any other shape and may include an opening 104 which extends from the top of the outer assembly 101 to the bottom of the outer assembly 101.

The outer assembly 101 is open at the top and the bottom, to allow the inner assembly to be inserted through the top and allow the base assembly 102 to be inserted through the bottom.

The opening 104 may vary in length, however, it is wide enough to allow a golf club to be inserted and removed from the opening 104.

The opening 104 may also be closed using a zipper, Velcro or other closure mechanism when not in use.

The outer assembly 101 may vary in circumference and is positioned to rest on an outer lip of the base assembly 102. The outer assembly must have a circumference large enough to accept the inner assembly 103.

The outer assembly 101 may be of any material including metal, fabric, plastic, leather, etc.

The outer assembly 101 may include pockets or holders on the exterior of the outer assembly to hold various items.

The inner assembly 103 includes a top plate 105 which is positioned at the top of the inner assembly 103 and a bottom assembly 106 which is positioned at the bottom of the inner assembly 103 and is connected by a center post. The inner assembly 103 will be described in greater detail in later figures.

The inner assembly 103 is configured to be inserted through the top of the outer assembly 101 and rest on a center post and rotate about the vertical axis on the base assembly 102.

The top plate 105 of the inner assembly 103 may be circular or polygonal in shape and includes clips around the edge of the top plate 105 to secure the golf clubs.

The inner assembly 102 is not in contact with the inner surface of the outer assembly 101, as the inner assembly 102 is configured to rotate about the vertical axis.

The base assembly 102 may include an outer lip which the outer assembly 101 rests upon and further may include a series of holes around the edge of the base assembly 102 to secure the base assembly 102 to the outer assembly 101.

The base assembly 102 may also include a ring around the center post, having a radius that may be one of various values, to ensure the inner assembly 103 can freely rotate about the vertical axis around the center post without additional friction caused by the rotation of the inner assembly against the inner base of the base assembly 102 due to a reduced contact surface area between the base assembly 102 and the inner assembly 103.

The golf bag 100 may also include a shoulder or back strap which affixes to the outer surface of the outer assembly 101 on the opposite side of the opening (i.e. the back of the bag) allowing the golfer to carry the golf bag 100. The shoulder or back strap may include a parachute club in order to secure the golf bag 100 to a golf cart.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view 200 of the inner assembly of the golf bag of the current embodiment holding golf clubs.

The inner assembly 201 includes a top plate 202, a center shaft 203, and a assembly 204. FIG. 2 illustrates golf clubs 205 being secured on the inner assembly 201.

The center shaft 203 connects the top plate 202 with the bottom assembly 204.

The top plate 202 may be circular or polygonal in shape and includes spaced clips, which may be made of plastic, metal or any other material to affix the top of the shaft of the golf club 205 (below the head of the golf club) to the top plate 202.

The clips may be spaced equally or the spacing may vary to accommodate clubs of various sizes.

The head of the golf club 205 extends above the top plate 202 while the remainder of the shaft of the golf club 205 and the grip of the golf club extend below the top plate.

The bottom assembly 204 of the inner assembly 201 includes a spacer on the top portion of the bottom plate 204 which includes a plurality of concave retaining surfaces that extend vertically along a portion of the center shaft.

The bottom of the grip of the golf club 205 rests on the bottom plate 204 and the side of the grip of the golf club 205 rests on the concave retaining surface.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the golf bag 300 of the current embodiment including a cylindrical cover and a base assembly.

The golf bag 300 includes the outer assembly 301 and the base assembly 302.

The bottom of the outer assembly 301 rests on an outer lip 303 of the base assembly 302 and may be secured to the base assembly 302 by any attachment means, such as rivets, bolts, Velcro, etc.

The base assembly 302 includes a center post 304 which extends upward towards the top of the outer assembly 301 and is configured to accept the inner assembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view 400 of the base assembly 401 including a ring 404 around the center post 405.

The base assembly 401 includes an outer lip 402 which extends around the base assembly 402 along the bottom of the base assembly 401 which allows the outer assembly to rest upon the outer lip 402.

The base assembly 401 may also include connection points 403 to connect the outer assembly to the base assembly 401.

The base assembly includes a ring 404 which is positioned around the center post 405. The ring 404 may be of varying radiuses, specifically it may be positioned directly against the edge of the center post 405 or it may be positioned directly against the inner wall of the base assembly 401, or as illustrated, in between the center post 405 and the inner wall of the base assembly 401.

The ring 404 prevents the inner assembly from generating friction against the entire base of the base assembly 401 as this would make it difficult to rotate the golf clubs.

The ring 404 may be a friction reducing ring or any other structure or shape which may reduce the friction of the inner assembly and is not limited to a ring structure due to a reduced contact surface area between the base assembly 102 and the inner assembly 103.

In an alternative embodiment, the friction reducing ring may be positioned on the bottom of the inner assembly instead of the top of the bottom assembly 401 to reduce friction. This embodiment will be discussed in FIGS. 10-11.

The base assembly includes a center post 405 which extends from the center of the base assembly 401 and which may vary in radius. The center post 405 is configured to be inserted into the bottom of the inner assembly and allow the inner assembly to rotate about the vertical axis around the center post 405 to rotate the golf clubs.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view 500 of the outer assembly of the golf bag of the current embodiment.

The outer assembly 501 is a hollow structure with an opening on the top of the outer assembly 501 to accept the inner assembly and an opening at the bottom of the outer assembly 501 to accept the base assembly.

The outer assembly 501 may be cylindrical in shape or any other shape.

The outer assembly 501 includes an opening 502 which may have a varying length but which is wide enough to allow a golf club to be inserted and removed.

The opening 502 may also be closed using a zipper, Velcro or other closure mechanism when not in use.

The outer assembly 501 may be made from any material including metal, fabric, plastic, leather, etc.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the inner assembly 600 of the golf bag of the current embodiment including a top plate 601 and a bottom assembly 608.

The inner assembly 600 includes a top plate 601 which is positioned on the top of the inner assembly 600. The top plate 601 may be cylindrical, polygonal or any other shaped disc with flat sides. The top plate 601 may include a hole through the middle of the top plate 601. The hole accepts the center shaft 604 through the bottom of the top plate 601. The hole may accept a cap 602 through the top of the top plate 601.

The edges of the top plate 601 include spaced clips 603 around the entirety of the edge of the top cap 601. The clips 603 may be made of metal, plastic or any other material and are configured to secure the shaft of the golf club to the inner assembly.

The clips 603 may be spaced equally or the spacing may vary to accommodate clubs of various sizes.

The center shaft 604 extends from the bottom of the top plate 601 to the top of the bottom assembly 608.

The bottom assembly 608 includes a bottom plate 606 and a spacer 605. The spacer 605 is attached to the bottom plate 606 and is positioned between the top plate 601 and the bottom plate 606.

The spacer 605 includes a plurality of concave retaining surfaces 607 which extend vertically along a portion of the center shaft 604.

The radius of the spacer 605 is less than the radius of the bottom plate 606, which allows the spacer 605 to rest on the top of the bottom plate 606.

The concave retaining surfaces 607 are used to allow the grips of the golf clubs to be rested within these surfaces while being secured to the inner assembly by the clips 603 on the top plate 601. The concave retaining surfaces 607 also keep the grips of the golf clubs separated.

The concave retaining surfaces 607 align with the clips 603 on the top plate 601.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view 700 of a top plate 701 of the inner assembly of the golf bag of the current embodiment.

The top plate 701 may be cylindrical, polygonal or any other shaped disc with flat sides. The top plate 701 includes a hole through the middle of the top plate 701. The hole extends into the center shaft 704 through the bottom of the top plate 701. The hole accepts a cap 702 through the top of the top plate 701.

The edges of the top plate 701 include spaced clips 703 around the entirety of the edge of the top cap 701. The clips 703 may be made of metal, plastic or any other material and are configured to secure the shaft of the golf club to the inner assembly.

The clips 703 may be spaced equally or the spacing may vary to accommodate clubs of various sizes.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of bottom assembly 800 of the inner assembly of the golf bag of the current embodiment.

The center shaft 804 extends from the bottom of the top plate to the top of the bottom plate 801.

The spacer 802 is attached to the bottom plate 801 and the center shaft 804 and is positioned between the top plate and the bottom plate 801.

The spacer 802 includes a plurality of concave retaining surfaces 804 which extend vertically along a portion of the center shaft 803.

The radius of the spacer 802 is less than the radius of the bottom plate 801, which allows the spacer 802 to rest on the top of the bottom plate 801.

The concave retaining surfaces 804 are used to allow the grips of the golf clubs to be rested within these surfaces while being secured to the inner assembly by the clips on the top plate.

The concave retaining surfaces 804 also keep the grips of the golf clubs separated.

The concave retaining surfaces 804 may vary in size corresponding to the varied clip spacing.

The concave retaining surfaces 804 align with the clips on the top plate.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view 900 of the bottom plate 901 of the inner assembly of the golf bag of the current embodiment.

The bottom plate 901 may be circular or any shape and includes a plurality of concave retaining surfaces 902 and a center shaft 903.

The center shaft 903 is hollow and extends through the spacer 904, and the hollow opening of the center shaft 904 extends through the bottom plate 901.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view 1000 of the base assembly 1001 of the golf bag of an alternative embodiment without the ring around the center post 1002.

Similar to FIG. 4, the base assembly 1001 includes an outer lip 1002 which extends around the base assembly 1001 along the bottom of the base assembly 1001 which allows the outer assembly to rest upon the outer lip 1002.

The base assembly 1001 may also include connection points 1003 to connect the outer assembly to the base assembly 1001.

The base assembly includes a center post 1004 which extends upward from the center of the base assembly 1001 and which may vary in radius. The center post 1004 is configured extend from the bottom of the inner assembly and allow the inner assembly to rotate about the vertical axis of the center post 1004, which rotates the golf clubs.

FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom view of the bottom assembly 1100 of the bottom plate 1101 of the inner assembly of the golf bag of an alternative embodiment with a ring 1102.

In the alternative embodiment, the friction reducing ring 1102 may be positioned on the bottom of the inner assembly instead of the top of the bottom assembly 401 to reduce friction.

The bottom plate 1101 of the inner assembly includes a ring 1102 which is positioned around the spacer 1103 and the center shaft 1104. The ring 1102 may be of varying radiuses, specifically it may be positioned directly against the edge of the spacer 1103 or it may be positioned directly against the edge of the bottom plate 1101 of the inner assembly, or as illustrated, in between the edge of the spacer 1103 and the edge of the bottom plate 1101 of the inner assembly.

The ring 1102 prevents the inner assembly from generating friction against the entire base of the base assembly as this would make it difficult to rotate the golf clubs.

The ring 1102 may be a friction reducing ring or any other structure or shape which may reduce the friction of the inner assembly and is not limited to a ring structure.

Although the various embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain aspects thereof, it should be understood that the invention is capable of other embodiments and its details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variations and modifications can be effected while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure, description, and figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not in any way limit the invention, which is defined only by the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf bag, the golf bag comprising: an outer assembly having an opening extending along the vertical axis from a first end of the outer assembly to a second end of the outer assembly; a base assembly having a center post connected to the first end of the outer assembly; an inner assembly including a center shaft which connects a top plate on the first end and a bottom assembly on the second end, wherein the center shaft fits over the center post, and the outer assembly surrounds the inner assembly and the inner assembly rotates around the center post of the base assembly.
 2. The golf bag of claim 1, further comprising: a spacer on a bottom plate of the bottom assembly of the inner assembly including a plurality of concave retaining spaces that extend along the vertical axis of the spacer.
 3. The golf bag of claim 1, further comprising: an outer lip on the base assembly configured to receive the second end of the outer assembly.
 4. The golf bag of claim 1, further comprising: a friction reducing ring positioned on a top surface of the base assembly to reduce rotational friction of the bottom plate of the inner assembly against the base assembly.
 5. The golf bag of claim 1, further comprising: a friction reducing ring positioned on a bottom surface of the bottom plate of the inner assembly to reduce rotational friction of the bottom plate of the inner assembly against the base assembly.
 6. The golf bag of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of connection points around the base assembly to affix the outer assembly to the base assembly.
 7. The golf bag of claim 1, further comprising: an opening on a top surface of the top plate, and a cap positioned in the opening on the top surface of the top plate of the inner assembly.
 8. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein the center post on the base assembly extends upward along the vertical axis and is configured to be inserted into the bottom plate of the inner assembly.
 9. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein the outer assembly is cylindrical shaped.
 10. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein the top plate of the inner assembly is polygonal shaped.
 11. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein a golf club is inserted and removed through the opening on the outer assembly.
 12. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein the opening extending along the vertical axis from a first end of the outer assembly to a second end of the outer assembly is closed using a zipper, Velcro or other closing mechanism.
 13. The golf bag of claim 2, wherein the spacer is positioned between the bottom plate of the inner assembly and the top plate of the inner assembly.
 14. The golf bag of claim 2, wherein a grip of a golf club is configured to rest in at least one of the plurality of concave retaining spaces.
 15. The golf bag of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of clips configured to be spaced around the top plate of the inner assembly configured to affix to a shaft of a golf club.
 16. The golf bag of claim 2, wherein the plurality of clips on the top plate of the inner assembly correspond with the plurality of concave retaining spaces on the bottom plate of the inner assembly.
 17. The golf bag of claim 6, wherein the connection points connect the outer assembly to the base assembly by rivets, bolts or Velcro.
 18. The golf bag of claim 15, wherein spacing between the plurality of clips is varied based on sizes of golf clubs.
 19. The golf bag of claim 18, wherein spacing between the plurality of concave retaining spaces is varied based on the spacing between the plurality of clubs. 